Gerard Deulofeu: Who Is The Barcelona Wonderkid At Everton?

One of Roberto Martínez's outstanding strengths during his short managerial career has been his knack for plucking young Spaniards from the Primera Liga, and Gerard Deulofeu could be the latest beneficiary.

Deulofeu, 19, has signed for the Toffees on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona, as Martínez begins to alter Everton's identity.

Under David Moyes, the football was more artisan than arty, and Martínez's assistant Graeme Jones has already spoken about a desire to "marry" styles.

Deulofeu puts pen to paper on an Everton deal

Arouna Koné, Antolín Alcaraz and Joel Robles have all joined this week as a thin squad is beefed up, but Deulofeu is the most exciting arrival.

He was just nine-years-old when he was featured in an interview on television for the first time and at 14 was billed as the "new Ronaldinho". It was at that age Deulofeu signed a contract worth €150,000 Euros a season with Nike.

The Barcelona B forward scored 18 times in Spain's second tier last season, having made his Segunda Liga bow as a 17-year-old in March 2011 and his first-team debut later that year.

Deulofeu is the latest Martínez find

He has also excelled at junior level with Spain, winning the Uefa Under-19 Championship Golden Player award in 2012, having already won the tournament the previous year.

So why has he not made a breakthrough at Barça?

The outstanding problem with the La Masia graduate is the baggage he brings with him. The consensus amongst Culés is he is too arrogant and amusingly, Deulofeu named Cristiano Ronaldo as a role model. A borderline sanctimonious club, Barça pride themselves on possessing players brimming with humility rather than hubris.

But for Everton, who nursed an inferiority complex under Moyes, the cocksure Culé could be the best medicine.